Auckland road closure will affect the whole region

Auckland’s biggest road closure will effect the whole region

The New Zealand Transport Agency’s closure of the SH1 southbound over the Newmarket Viaduct from 5pm Saturday to 5am on Monday morning is the biggest road closure Auckland’s ever seen, and people will need to plan for the massive and possibly region-wide disruption, says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.

“A lot of people still don’t appreciate just how massive this motorway closure is and it’s not helped by the fact that weekend traffic is harder to educate and more unpredictable.

“Most know about the road closure, but people are underestimating the ripple effect it’s going to have on traffic across the region. If people don’t take heed of NZTA’s advice, we are set to see the biggest traffic jam in the history of New Zealand.

“We remain completely unconvinced that tiny Mortimer Pass in central Newmarket will be able to cope as a motorway diversion on Father’s Day. We think trying to get 20,000 cars down Mortimer Pass will see gridlock right back to the city, with the Northern Motorway potentially grinding to a halt as well.

"Take it from me Mortimer Pass already jams up on a busy weekend, let alone being used as a defacto motorway. It simply won't cope if people use the motorway in big numbers.

“This will affect the region’s entire motorway network, our arterial roads and suburban streets. Those who have to travel will need to allow a lot of time. Let's not forget that the busiest stretch of motorway in the country is being shut down for 36 hours.

“Newmarket will be open for business all day Saturday and Sunday and we’re encouraging people to use the free trains, the many buses that feed Newmarket, and for any brave drivers to approach Newmarket from the north-east,” says Cameron Brewer.

ENDS

© Scoop Media